Fiat Professional

Top comfort and safety

Ducato has the future firmly in its sights with the first Large Van with Level 2 Autonomous Driving features that reassert the innovative spirit that has distinguished the model in its forty-year history

Words Renato Antonini

Eric Laforge during the latest Fiat Professional press conference The official launch of the electric version of the Fiat Scudo and the completion of the Ducato in 1981, Scudo in 1996 and Fiorino in 2007. Although we didn’t know it at the time, we were already building the range with the arrival of new ADAS features confirm that a new era has begun for Fiat Professional. Various synergies were exploited within the Stellantis group from the outset to develop a wide range of vehicles, tailored to the needs of a rapidly changing customer base and taking the chang- “Ducato has been es in society and business into account. “Fiat, Peugeot and the undisputed leader in its segment Citroen partnered since 2014” up to create Sevel in 1978”, explained Eric Laforge, Head of LCV Enlarged Europe at Stellantis. “Three key Fiat Professional models resulted from this agreement: Ducato foundations of Stellantis. It is thanks to this stimulating and superior partnership that we have been able to present the first products of the new Stellantis era in record time making the most of the powerful synergies resulting from the merger between the various companies”. In this new scenario, Fiat Professional has become the backbone of Stellantis and the evolution of Ducato continues. The most popular mechanical base for motorhomes is now even more innovative, with an array of Advanced Driver Assistance

The new Digital Central Mirror

Systems (ADAS) capable of Level 2 Autonomous Driving, to the benefit of comfort and driving safety. This is the first Large Van to reach this important milestone and Ducato is reasserting the trend towards innovation that has distinguished the model for over forty years. The new ADAS, announced by Fiat Professional on the occasion of the 2021 launch of the eighth edition of Ducato, are now a reality and projects Ducato firmly into the future. The Aboutcamp BtoB team had the pleasure of road-testing the Ducato equipped with the new ADAS features. It was excellent and the implemented technology level is remarkable. It will be the benchmark for its segment and open up new scenarios heralding total autonomous driving in the not too distant future. Three ADAS functions are used in combination to achieve Level 2 Autonomous Driving. Adaptive Cruise Control keeps the set speed by reactivating itself automatically in the event of independent braking (Stop&Go function). The Lane Departure Warning System and Traffic Jam Assist actively control the trajectory of the vehicle by analysing traffic conditions. The Aboutcamp BtoB team tested the Ducato on various types of roads and in a variety of driving situations. With ADAS, driving becomes relaxing and above all very safe. The vehicle autonomously assists the driver by acceleration and braking. “Ducato has been the undisputed leader in its segment since 2014”, concluded Eric Laforge. “It is the best-selling light commercial vehicle in Europe with around 150,000 units per year. And let’s not forget that Ducato has been a long-time leader in the motorhome segment, too. Importantly, the strength of Ducato also lies in its after-sales service, starting with a highly specialised, well-distributed service network”.

Above: our editor in chief attending the Ducato test drive

Ducato is safer than ever

The ADAS package offered by Fiat Professional for the Ducato was rated by Euro NCAP as the best European commercial van in terms of active safety. It is now truly comprehensive and includes speed and braking control systems that warn of sudden obstacles, including pedestrians and cyclists, as well as traffic sign recognition and driver attention monitoring devices. Ducato offers a full range of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, for driving and parking. The ESC (Electronic Stability Control) system has been improved and includes Cross Wind Assist, Trailer Stability Control and Post Collision Braking System. The Digital Central Mirror digitally projects the rear image, replacing the rear-view mirror, and a set of sensors around the vehicle facilitates parking manoeuvres. The semi-autonomous assistant can be used for parallel and perpendicular parking. In other words, Ducato is a modern and complete vehicle, suited for a variety of needs, perfect for business but also an ideal base for motorhomes and camper vans.

Scudo is electric, too

The new Scudo is complementing the Fiat Professional range and is also offered with a modern electric powertrain

Words Renato Antonini

The new Scudo joins Ducato in the Fiat Professional line-up. Compact and manoeuvrable, it has a car-like layout and is easy to drive, but with excellent load capacity. It embodies a modern vehicle concept based on the Stellantis mid-van platform. An all-electric powertrain is making its debut alongside next-generation diesel engines. The new Scudo is the second Fiat Professional commercial

The many variants of Scudo

Designed for maximum flexibility of use, Scudo is available in four configurations (Van, Crew Cab, Flatbed Cab and Combi M1) and three trim levels (Easy, Business and Lounge). The electric version can be combined with all body configurations. In the van configuration, which is expected to be the most popular, the new Scudo stands just 1.90 metres high with three length variants: the standard version is 5 metres long, the Maxi version comes in at 5.3 metres and the ultra-compact Scudo “S” stops at 4.6 metres. Load volumes are 4.6, 5.3 and 6.1 cubic metres, according to the wheelbase, and load capacity is up to 1.4 tonnes. With this complete line-up, Fiat Professional is also addressing the RV sector strong of its position as the European market leader. vehicle to be available in an electric version, extending a range that already features the E-Ducato. “The New Scudo is a versatile, multi-purpose vehicle available in various configurations and with various powertrains, including a modern electric version”, explained Eric Laforge, Head of LCV Enlarged Europe at Stellantis. “It is Fiat Professional’s second all-electric vehicle. The New Scudo is a hard worker with compact dimensions suitable for even the narrowest of city streets. And the electric version has full access to restricted traffic areas”. With a range of 330 kilometres in the WLTP cycle, the zero-emission electric version of the Scudo is at the top of its class. To meet the needs of different types of users, the Scudo with a 100 kW (136 hp) electric motor can be equipped with two different battery sizes (50 and 75 kWh), with recharging capacities of up to 11 kW in AC and up to 100 kW in DC, meaning that the battery can be 80% charged in just 45 minutes. Importantly, even with the electric motor, Scudo has up to 6.6 cubic metres of loading capacity and a payload of over 1 tonne. The new Scudo is also available with four diesel engines. The 1.5-litre engine is available in 102 and 120 hp variants, both with 6-speed manual transmission, while the 2-litre engine is available in a 145 hp version, with an 8-speed manual or automatic transmission, and a 180 hp version, also with 8-speed automatic transmission.